Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

When I was younger, I always procrastinated my gift shopping. It was sort of a tradition, borrowing my mum's car and going out on the 23rd or 24th of December while she was at home baking cookies. I'd listen to Christmas carols through my headphones, zip through the stores, and pick up items off of my list (and sometimes from my mum's or sister's). I often worked multiple jobs, so this was my only time to do this (I'm sure anyone who knows me is shocked I waited until the last moment).

As I've gotten older and learned about the magic of online shopping, I've done this more and more often. The crowds have become more intense, the shopping season has basically moved into the middle of July, and I feel that I can contain my "calm and bright" attitude better when I'm not being elbowed out of the way over the last whatchamacallit on the shelf.

I also have focused more on giving meaningful gifts. If you have any children in your life, they've probably given you a million ideas about what they want from Santa. The adults, who can usually buy whatever they want or need, are more difficult to shop for. Gifting experiences is wonderful, but can quickly become too expensive to afford. I am more interested in small tokens of love that truly represent the recipient and don't pull away the focus of the season, which is Jesus, but instead enhance that idea of hope and goodwill.

I've compiled a list of ideas for all of the hard-to-buy-for people on your list, based on sentiment and practicality.

Because we have a whole cupboard full of mugs (a source of eye rolls from Shelley, who insists we don't need more than 4, max), I am going to dissuade anyone from gifting a mug, regardless of how cute they are. Instead, a Yeti or a Contigo travel mug are functional and sleek. My Contigo travel mug is one of my favorite purchases, and it has a lock button so I can throw it in my bag without it spilling and pull it out for a beverage that's still steaming hot four hours later.

On the book end of things (see what I did there?), Shells got me a book light as a stocking stuffer four years ago and it is still one of my all-time favorite gifts because it was practical and sentimental. I love the classic novels at Barnes and Noble-- they are so pretty and look nice on display but are still readable, and I'm a sucker for ribbon bookmarks. I also recommend New Morning Mercies if anyone you know is searching for a devotional; it is the best I've found.

For the outdoorsy types, there are some fun things that can be useful to have as well. It's nice to have games to play, so something like UNO is always classic. We always bring battery-powered fairy lights (we saw people string them along the top of the tent once and it's a game changer). We like to pack a portable speaker, and the retro mini speakers that hook up to Bluetooth add a bit of pizazz. HomeGoods has portable phone projectors, which would be nice for playing a movie against the tent wall. I also love my multitool. I got one on sale a few years ago from Eddie Bauer, and I've heard LeatherMan makes a nice one as well.

For guys/minimalists, anything that is considered "clutter" is a definite no, so it has to be useful or something they would never buy for themselves. Something like a craft beer or a nice bottle of liquor and some rocks glasses would not go to waste and not take up space beyond the time it takes to consume it. Not all men fall under the Black & Decker category, although TV commercials make it seem like a power tool is at the top of every guy's list (sexist much?), but the Flannel candle from Bath & Body Works is a real crowd pleaser for both men AND women.

If you have someone a bit more feminine on your list, Bip & Bop and The Giving Keys both offer dainty, delicate jewelry that you can personalize to fit the receiver. ColourPop cosmetics offers quality, affordable makeup, and you can even design your own custom palette including blush, highlight, and eyeshadow to match skin tone. I also love Headbands of Hope, which is possibly my favorite company-- the headbands are gorgeous, each one you buy also sends one to a child with cancer, and if you use my code "FerraroHope" you can save some money as well!

I always like Christmas-themed gifts. My sister and I had Matryoshka dolls that looked like Santa Claus growing up, and mine is currently on my fireplace. We used to get ornaments every year from my mum and from my grandfather, so that is a special tradition and even makes a nice accent to tie to the outside of another gift.

Finally, some practical gifts for anyone: a portable phone charger is a good stocking stuffer that someone could carry around in a bag for just-in-case moments. A Chromecast, Firestick, or Roku would be useful. I love beanies, and since they are functional and fashionable I think they're a great gift. Bluetooth headphones are wonderful, especially for long trips. I don't particularly care for the wholly wireless ones, but Sudio has some great ones I've linked. I have had mine for three years now! I love a good watch, and MVMT and Daniel Wellington both offer pay-in-installments options now (so dangerous!) for their classy, minimalist timepieces. If you want to spend a bit more, the Fujifilm instant cameras and film are fun and a great way to capture memories!

When you're five, if someone gives you socks or slippers or pajamas, they may as well have given you coal. Fast forward 20 years and a good pair of lodge socks becomes an ideal gift. Lounge clothes like Cuddle Duds or fleece/sherpa pullovers are fantastic as well-- the bigger the better definitely applies to sweatpants.
Hopefully you were able to find some ideas in this post for the hard-to-shop-for people in your life! If you have any other ideas, feel free to comment and let me know!